Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-28

the people we're TO vote upon the question of
the sale of lqnor As the first ballots began
falling into the boxes, the women began
singing familiar Methodist hymns. All day
long the most remarkable scenes were en-
acted White women engaged IN converse
ton with negros, whom they had never
seen before, urging them to deposit their
ballots against the sale At one pre-
cinct was gathered representative bevy of
women. One girl, a chubby-faced blonde
and blue-ayed stood leaning against door
post, while with an arm twined around her
white sisters waist stood a colored Hebe
whose fine proportions were admired by all
the men who passed. As this group of white
and black posed in sisterly embrace, two COL
ored dndrs, hat in hand, stood in the front
yard passing the usual compliments of the
season. Just outside the gate stood a huge
black man with his back against the fenca
In front of him stood a white woman patting
him on the breast and begging him to vote
for Jesus" An old negro, who happened TO
he passing threw up his hands as he looked
upon this scene, and exclaimed: "Bless de
Lord Use lived TO see de cullud folks as good
as de whites
As early as 5 o'clock voters began to con-
gregate about the voting places and it is said
that not few spent the night at the polls
Before O'Clock long lines formed at each of
the six city polls and when the town clock
struck the balloting began. Both sides had
out number of carriages The ants placarls
bore the legend, Bring prosperity back to
Atlanta; vote for the sale On the Prohb-
carriages were the words "For Prohibition. !"
The lunch-rooms run under the auspices of
the Prohibition ladies' were crowded all day,
and good lunches were furnished the men
who worked at the polls. A band of little
girls wearing blue badges marched up to the
court house at 1&;50 o'clock, and sang several
hymns Quite sensation was caused by
their appearance.
Theree were decided apprehensions of
trouble, and numerous charges of fraud and
purchase Of votes on both sides 1t is the
general conviction that if a row had been
started it would have been bloody one.
During the morning several women and
girls assembled near the voting places There
were about fifteen altogether, and as the vot-
ers marched up to the polls they would sing
such songs as Bringing in the Sheaves, "
Jesus viii Carry You Through" etc
The singing was under the supervision of
the Rev. H. W. Beville, a member OF
Hunter Street Christian church. Directly
behind the women and girls who were sing
ing was large sign painted on the door of a
former wine-room: Michigan Beer on Ice. ~
All the preachers worked hard with the
crowds. The exhorters, the cranks and the
politicians struggled with them to vote "dry,
but with an enthusiasm which would moi
brook restraint the citizens broke away and
voted for the sale. The negroes especially re-
sented what they looked upon as an infringe
ment upon their personal rights.
The hero of the day was Capt. Evan P
Howell Wherever he appeared great crowds
would gather around him. Toward night
the women and the preachers began to re.
tire, and by o'clock the fight was given up.
The official majority for the sale is J 40.
When the result of the fight was known
thousands upon thousands of white and col.
ored people assembled in the streets with
torches and brass bands. The jubilant throng
made night hideous. There were, however,
very few people arrested for drunkenness,
The men who led the wet forces to victory
were serenaded and compelled to make
speeches. The tenor of their addresses was
the same. They were rejoiced that Atlanta
had been freed from the domination of the
zealot and the crank, but counselled modera-
ton on the part of the victors.
Mr.. Grady, in common with Judge Hill
yer, Ben Hill and other prominent leaders Of
the defeated cause, says he will acquiesce
gracefully in the result. Many preachers
devoted part of their services Sun
day to the defeat of Prohibition.
DR.. Lee made thoughtful and
conservative talk, while DIR. Hawthorne was
vituperative. One of his remarks was: "The
whisky ring is gloating over its triumph, and
the anti-Proaibitiousts are like toads who
fill their bellies with mud, sit on q log and
croak"
1t is said by contractor here that he has,
since the result was announced, been ordered
to begin buildings, the aggregate cost Of
which will he $500, 600 Ordinary Calhoun
believes the law will go into effect al
once, and two-thirds of the best lawyers in
Atlanta sustain the opinion. Others think
that it will not take effect for some months
and will contest this point